Their debut was produced by former Pulp member Steve Mackay and brought a mid-noughties sound to Jarvis and co's snapshots of relationships while "Couples" is a progression of their sound, drawing comparisons with ABC and the Human League, while not betraying their Sheffield roots.

After a hiatus from the live scene, the Long Blondes premiered "Couples" at Sheffield's Fuzz Club performing under a pseudonym.

The Guide spoke to drummer Screech a week after the band returned to the live arena.

"It's exciting to get out there again because it's been a while.

"It's been 12 months since we last toured the UK so we're looking forward to getting started again," he said.

"We had never played the songs live before, so we wanted to try them out with no pressure.

"We hadn't done any gigs for six months and it was nice to go into smaller clubs where no one really knew it was going to be us."

"Couples" represents a new turn for the group, with the electro influence of The Human League almost immediate, heralding a starker sound.

The album was produced by Erol Alkan, who has remixed for the likes of Klaxons and Hot Chip and was responsible for Can't Get Blue Monday Out Of My Head, the Kylie and New Order mash-up.

"It's definitely a progression from the first album.

"It's more unusual musically and lyrically and it's pushed what we do in a direction we haven't taken before. Ultimately it's a progression," said Screech.

"Working with Erol was one of the best experience we have had as a band, it was amazing.

"We wrote the album together and I think when you tour as much as we have done, you reach a certain level of musical understanding.

"I think some people will be a little bit surprised by it – there's not really that Once and Never Again radio hit but ultimately it's a Long Blondes record.

"We've made more of a mature record than the first one.

The speech marks in "Couples" are an integral part of the title, in part as what Screech describes as "a bit of a nod to Bowie".

It also refers to the break-up of romantic relationships within the two-man and three-woman quintet.

The band, who emerged as part of the New Yorkshire scene, have found favour with both younger fans – in particular girls who look up to lead singer Kate Jackson – as well as with devotees of '90s bands such as Suede and Pulp, who inspired the Long Blondes frontwoman.

Screech says: "We've got quite a diverse fanbase.

"One of the things we have done is work really hard to build up a fan base."

"We're an exciting live band and we always try and put on a show, it's really important that it's not just us five.

"One thing that I think is exciting about us as a band is that each of us has different tastes," he explains.

"I've been listening to lots of jazz recently, and Captain Beefheart and Autechre.

"Dorian likes '70s disco and there's also a twee indie pop influence. I don't think we really fit in with the music scene.

"I like the idea of not really fitting in."

For more information visit www.myspace.com/thelongblondes.